Madrid E-Prix: historic pole position and GEN4 commitment confirmed for Citroën

Madrid E-Prix: A historic pole position for Citroën amidst a weekend of contrasts

This past weekend, Formula E traveled to the Spanish capital for the Madrid E-Prix, marking the start of the European leg of the season. For Citroën, this event was highly anticipated, as the French brand aimed to convert its early-season momentum into solid results on European soil. However, the weekend's outcome proved to be a mix of highs and lows: while the team celebrated the first-ever pole position in its history within the series, Sunday’s race brought unexpected challenges and technical frustrations.

Brilliant qualifying performance followed by a gritty race

The weekend began on a high note during the qualifying sessions. Nick Cassidy delivered a masterclass performance to secure pole position. This achievement represents a historic milestone for Citroën Racing, confirming that the car possesses the raw pace required to compete at the very front of the global grid. Starting from the top spot fueled high hopes for a podium finish or even a victory, showcasing the team's technical progress.

However, the reality of pack racing quickly set in. Once the lights went out, the field remained extremely tight, making overtaking maneuvers difficult on the demanding Jarama circuit. Starting from P18 after being impeded during his qualifying laps, Jean-Éric Vergne launched an impressive comeback. In just five laps, the French driver climbed to 9th place, demonstrating remarkable fighting spirit and car control.

Unfortunately, this momentum was halted following a collision with Taylor Barnard. The damage sustained by Vergne’s car significantly hampered his pace for the remainder of the race. Simultaneously, Nick Cassidy, who had been leading early on, faced major hurdles regarding energy management. The introduction of new strategic elements, including a unique six-minute Attack Mode and the Pit Boost system, completely altered the team's race plan. At the checkered flag, the results were tough: Jean-Éric Vergne finished P14, and Nick Cassidy crossed the line in P17.

Team debrief: balancing technical potential and strategic lessons

Despite the disappointment of missing out on points, Citroën Racing’s leadership and drivers chose to focus on the positive takeaways from the Madrid round. Cyril Blais, Team Principal, emphasized the strategic importance of the event: "Madrid is an important step for us, both sportingly and commercially for Citroën. Spain is a key market for the brand." He noted that Citroën remains competitive, currently holding fourth place in both world championships, and affirmed the team's commitment to the title fight.

For his part, Nick Cassidy did not hide his frustration while remaining objective about the overall performance. "It was an up-and-down day for me," he explained. "We did a great job in qualifying, which is encouraging. The pace was also very good in the race, but we struggled with overall efficiency." The New Zealand driver pointed to energy management as a critical factor on this circuit, where small details often dictate the final outcome.

Jean-Éric Vergne, a veteran of Formula E battles, highlighted the technical nature of the Jarama track. For him, the key lies in optimizing every session: "If we execute qualifying, race strategy, and the Pit Boost correctly, we have a great opportunity to score big points." His comments reflect a steadfast determination to turn the car's inherent speed into concrete results in the upcoming rounds.

A renewed commitment to excellence: Citroën confirms the GEN4 era

Beyond the sporting performance, Madrid served as the stage for a fundamental announcement regarding the future of the brand. Citroën officially confirmed the continuation of its commitment to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship for the coming seasons. This strategic choice is highlighted by the upcoming arrival of the GEN4, the fourth generation of racing cars scheduled for Season 13, which will mark a technological turning point for the discipline. This decision illustrates Citroën's desire to firmly anchor itself in the high-performance electric mobility landscape.

To mark this commitment, the brand deployed an exceptional series of activations throughout the weekend to strengthen the bond with its customers and the media. The event featured several highlights, starting with a spectacular showrun on the Calle del Doctor Esquerdo, where Tatiana Calderón drove the car in front of over 8,600 enthusiastic spectators, an event also watched by over 300,000 people online. Additionally, more than 50 international journalists covered the team's behind-the-scenes activities, while a dedicated grandstand hosted 700 guests, including fans and employees.

Xavier Chardon, CEO of Citroën, used this platform to reaffirm the brand's vision: "At Citroën, innovation must be useful in everyday life. Formula E — and now GEN4 — allows us to transform electric performance into concrete progress for everyone. Motorsport is part of our DNA. We are proud to fully commit to this new chapter."

Conclusion: learning and rebounding for future challenges

The Madrid E-Prix served as a reminder that Formula E remains an unpredictable sport. Success in qualifying does not guarantee a win on Sunday, and the leaders of today can quickly find themselves struggling with the complexity of energy strategies. However, looking solely at the final standings would be a mistake. Throughout the weekend, Citroën proved it has a car capable of taking pole position and fighting through the pack with authority.

The challenge for the team now lies in analyzing the data to improve overall efficiency under race conditions. The potential is undeniable and simply needs to be harnessed more consistently. There is no time for doubt, as the next challenge is just around the corner. Citroën Racing invites you to follow the next Monaco E-Prix on May 9, 2026, held on one of the most prestigious circuits in the world, where the brand will be eager to strike back.